Business Education in a Digital World- Extending Services & Engagement Opportunities

Outside of online learning, SOM has been innovative with the way it offers different services and engagement opportunities. In particular, SOM advisors, who primarily relied on in-person advising appointments to interact with their students, took advantage of several means to communicate with students including email, phone, video chat, and messaging.

“Certainly at the beginning of the pandemic, there was concern about the full effectiveness of these mediums without the in-person opportunity,” said Brenda L. Harrison, LPC, Ph.D., senior academic advisor/counselor in SOM. “As it has turned out, students are more likely to keep in touch and use the video chat option if a face-to-face meeting is preferred. Even after the university loosens campus restrictions, advisors will continue to rely on these remote methods to advise our students.

Brenda L. Harrison, LPC, Ph.D., senior academic advisor/counselor in SOM

“Given the increasing demand for online classes and programs, SOM must maintain the aforementioned processes to advise our students. Perhaps the biggest aid to our remote advising system is the ability to share our screens. This allows us to review the degree evaluation and point out specific concerns that many students overlook when reviewing the evaluation on their own.

“I have also noticed a slight increase in Google messaging. This uptick is coming primarily from my international students more than anyone else. My assumption is that messaging is cheaper than calling or video chats. Furthermore, they can message me at a time that is convenient for them and know that I will answer their message which they will read again when convenient for them.”

Harrison commented that regardless of the method, SOM advisors have done a commendable job managing their caseloads via remote advising. This year advisors will work on developing and standardizing outreach processes with the goal of connecting with each student at least twice per year.

“This outreach is designed to be proactive rather than reactive,” said Harrison. “We regularly hear from a certain core of our students, but we want to reach out to all students in our caseload to touch base with them before problems arise.”

In addition to using new technology to communicate with their students, Harrison shared that SOM is currently working on an online training program for advisors. She expects it will open the door for a new standard of training in the School of Management and perhaps the university.

Despite restrictions, the International Business Student Organization (IBSO) held three events in 2020/2021 that would not have been possible in the past due to expenses and the time commitment of the guests.

Students were also eager to use technology to stay engaged with organizations on campus. Despite restrictions, the International Business Student Organization (IBSO) held three events in 2020/2021 that would not have been possible in the past due to expenses and the time commitment of the guests. Speakers included Ovidiu Stocia, Ph.D., finance professor, the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania; Rima Turk Ariss, Ph.D., senior economist, The International Monetary Fund (IMF); and Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Ph.D., a Somali American economist, professor, and former prime minister of Somalia.

While the IBSO is still planning this year’s events, the organization’s co-faculty advisor, Seyed Mehdian, Ph.D., professor of finance, recommends continuing events of this nature. “They have high educational value for the students,” he said.

Seyed Mehdian, Ph.D., professor of finance

Alumni panels and career events were also held virtually this academic year. Recent graduate Jason Bellant (BBA, 2021) landed a job after networking with Yeo & Yeo at a virtual SOM Career Fair organized by Antonio Riggs, career planning counselor in SOM.

“In previous years, my schedule never allowed me to attend career fairs,” said Bellant, now an assurance staff accountant at Yeo & Yeo. “So when I saw the career fair was being offered online through Handshake, it was the perfect opportunity to network with employers.”

Jason Bellant (BBA, 2021) landed a job after networking with Yeo & Yeo at a virtual SOM Career Fair organized by Antonio Riggs, career planning counselor in SOM.

ALUMNI & EMPLOYERS ENGAGE WITH SOM VIRTUALLY

HANDSHAKE Handshake was implemented by Career Services as the University’s primary job search engine during the summer of 2020 to connect students and alumni with internship opportunities and entry level jobs. All students have access to Handshake, and alumni can request use of the tool to establish an account. Handshake allows candidates to upload resumes, review job postings, and apply for openings. Handshake users can also participate in virtual events hosted by employer partners and attend virtual career fairs. Employers use Handshake to host virtual information sessions and interact with students.

WORKFORCE WEDNESDAYS Host a conversation about careers and the skills needed to be successful as students transition into the workforce. SOM is seeking a variety of guest speakers (in a virtual setting) to highlight their careers and offer students advice. Sessions begin at 1:45 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

EMPLOYER IN RESIDENCE As an Employer in Residence you can commit to a half day or an entire day on-campus or follow-up/meet with students in an alternate format. We provide space in our Student Professional Development Center to promote internships/job opportunities, conduct interviews, present career development topics, and network with faculty, staff, and students.

Alumni and/or employers interested in learning more about Handshake, Workforce Wednesdays or the Employer in Residence program, contact Antonio Riggs, career planning counselor, at anriggs@umich.edu or call 810.237.6680.